Just My Thoughts {3}

Hey folks,


Today’s thought is more of an answer to a question that I have been asked for years now. In some form or another. I am going to warn you up front that Jesus, God, religion, and faith are the topics today. If this offends you, just leave now.

For those of you that are still here, the question that am honestly going to attempt to answer is, "What would Jesus do." It has been asked to me in many forms and many ways, covering a vast array of topics. It is usually asked for one of three reasons.


1- Someone discovers that I believe in Jesus, and the Bible being The word of God, Then they have heard me saying things like I understand the death penalty, or as of late, I understand the reason we are at war, or I understand if "torturing" one person would save thousands of lives, it would not necessarily be a bad thing. They are honestly confused or curious as to how I can see things this way.

2- They believe in God, Jesus, and have followed the teachings of their religion, and have always been taught the "Turn the Other Cheek" Jesus. The one that never gets angry. The one that would allow anyone do anything to him, including even death. Hence, Salvation.


3-{In most cases} the questioner does not believe in Jesus. Doesn’t believe in God. Has a disdain for anything even remotely Christian, and thinks that by asking this, using the "Turn the Other Cheek" Jesus, they are somehow "getting me". Catching me in hypocrisies.


The latest reason for this question is the war. The latest reason for this question is the President announcing the existence of secret prisons. As in most cases, the ones asking this question really do not believe in Jesus, God, or the Bible. They have a near hatred for Christianity and anyone who claims they have faith in God.

The answer, as far as I go, is both complicated for some to understand, but truly simplistic to me. It is based on the real Jesus, and what the Bible ACTUALLY says about Him. There are many places in The Word that points out that not only did Jesus get angry, but he did something about it. I will point out three.


The first, Matthew 21:18,19 tells the story of Jesus waking in the morning and was hungry. He saw a fig tree and walked to it only to find that it had no fruit. Jesus got angry. He said to the tree that it shall never bare anymore fruit. It withered and died as they watched. Jesus got angry at the tree for not doing what it should do, produce fruit, so he reacted to that failure. He did not walk away, and look for another tree. He dealt with the one the failed.


When Peter pointed this occurrence out later, Jesus did not say to him, do not do this. Do not react out of anger. He said, if he had faith in God, even he could say, not only to a tree, but an entire mountain to be moved and cast into the sea, and not doubt, he would have it. Mark 11


Second, the death of Lazarus. John 11:35-43. Jesus so loved Lazarus that when he heard of his death, Jesus wept. He became angry saying that this man should not have died. He went to the grave and raised Lazarus from the dead four days after he died. Did Jesus say, death is just part of life and we must learn to deal with it? No, he became angry and dealt with death directly.


Third, and the one I will concentrate mostly on in response to this question {about the war and torture} John 2:13-16 tells of how Jesus came upon a temple where he found "money changers" people buying and selling things. He saw this as them invading his house. Did he say, forgive them? Did he say let’s negociate with them? Did he ask them anything? No. He saw them invading his house, and attacking the reason for it being. He took a "scourge of cords" a whip basically, and drove them out. He turned over tables and destroy their things. I would say, he was angry. Wouldn’t you?


It is really simple. People invaded, and attacked. Not only did Jesus confront them, but he did so with a weapon. He caused destruction. If I see someone attempting to, or actually attacking our house, America, not only do I think Jesus would have no problem with us attacking them. With weapons. Jesus knew he could not reason with those there. So he simply did not waste the time trying. He dealt with them.

This "Turn the other cheek" Gandhi like Jesus is only half of the real Jesus. We learn in Sunday school that "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." But what so many people forget is the dividing rod. What so many people do not seem to realize, or choose not to accept is the key. You have to accept him, before he can accept you.


In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said,


"Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in Heaven."


The plan of Salvation. Following God’s Word. Accepting Jesus’s sacrifice for yourself.


"Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? In your name cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works?


I will profess onto them, I never knew you, depart from me, you who work iniquity."


He is talking about those who blindly follow man made traditions and religion, without accepting him truly and learning what God, not man made traditions say about this or that. He is talking a personal relationship with HIM and faith in HIM. HE is the key.


If you use the key, you will then and ONLY then, open up the flood gates of Heaven that will grant you unconditional love and indescribable peace. Without using the key, you can not expect anything. Only if you use the key, accepting what Jesus did for you personally, can you say He knows you. We are all God’s creation, but to be a child of God, you must be adopted. You must go thought the process.


Yes Jesus loves you, heals the sick, works miracles, and died for YOU. There is no greater love than that. But the catalyst to receiving the benefits of belonging to that family is the adoption. He made it REALLY simple for you. A simple yes or no. I cannot do it for you. Jesus cannot do it for you, God himself, the devil, the little blue man on the moon, cannot do it for you, only YOU can.


Now my view on torture. First of all, you would have to define torture to me. Forced nudity? Things that do not seem to much worse than hazing? Sleep depravation? I’m not all that sure I would call this "torture". The way I see it, if making some one uncomfortable, embarrassed, or tired, saves another three thousand lives? I really do not think I have a problem with it. Jesus? Truth is, I do not know what His feelings on torture is. Neither do you. The topic is never discussed.


I’m sorry folks, but I really do not understand this. The very same guy, that some are upset over him being force to be naked, or kept awake for a few days, that would kill you, your spouse, kids, and attempt to wipe your very existence off the planet tomorrow if given the chance. Your crime against him? You breath.


Yes, I believe in Jesus, God and The Word. Yes I understand we are at war with those that want us dead. I have no problem in believing in this and the war. Jesus would not allow His house to be invaded, why would He be against us defending ours? He wouldn’t Yes, the all merciful and forgiving Jesus is real, but you have to ask for forgiveness to be forgiven.


I hope that may have answered your question, or at least help you to better understand my point of view on these things a little better.
Peter